Children's Home run by Mercia Children Services Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 1 Registered provider: Mercia Children Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and operated. It provides care for up to four children who may be experiencing social and emotional difficulties. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for children aged from eight to 17 years old.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager is in post. She is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 December 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children are well supported, and the care that they receive is personalised and has a positive impact on their lives. Staff form positive and nurturing relationships with the children that they care for. Children said that they like living here, and they feel that the staff care about them.

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The care of children

Staff understand the children’s individual needs and tailor care appropriately. Staff work with the child, their family and other professionals to develop a care plan that addresses the child’s specific needs, interests and goals. As a result, children feel valued and listened to.

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The care of children

Children are making measurable progress, and their starting point is clearly recorded. This will allow the staff to adapt their care to areas in which the children need the most support.

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The care of children

All children are now in education and are taking positive steps towards their future. The manager and staff recognise different learning styles and have advocated on behalf of children during planning meetings. This means that children receive education that is appropriate to their identified needs.

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The care of children

Children do not yet have clear transition plans to help prepare them for when they move on. This requirement will be restated.

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The safety of children

Strategies and plans are in place to reduce and manage risk. Risks to one child have reduced significantly due to a consistent staff approach.

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The safety of children

Staff demonstrate their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Regular training in safeguarding children helps staff to keep their practice up to date. The manager has challenged other professionals when services or a response have been slow or missing.

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The safety of children

The home is warm and welcoming, and previous health and safety concerns have been fully addressed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted and holds an appropriate leadership and management qualification. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 3 The manager has ensured that children’s plans and records are up to date and reflect their individual needs. The child’s voice is captured, and records include educational goals, therapeutic interventions and other relevant information to support the child’s overall well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has updated the statement of purpose to ensure that inclusive language is used and that it includes the frequency of staff supervision. Supervision sessions are carried out in the time frames stated, and they are reflective and have good content.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Effective monitoring and oversight have now been implemented by the manager. She has a good understanding of the strengths of the home and is focused on improving the quality of care. Action taken to address the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection is testament to this. The manager has aspirations for the children and staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, transitions for children moving out of the home should be carefully planned in plenty of time to fully prepare the child. 28 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mercia Children Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bramhall House, 14 Ack Lane East, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 2BY

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2667615 7 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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